Sunrise host David Koch says he’s NOT friends with Karl Stefanovic as he laughs off the Today show’s ‘ratings victories’ in a blistering interview
David ‘Kochie’ Koch recently celebrated 18 years as host of Australia’s number one breakfast show, Sunrise.
And the Seven Network star reflected on his almost two decades at the top in an interview with this week’s New Idea magazine.
The TV host, 64, spoke about a variety of topics, including his 41-year marriage to wife Libby and his friendship – or lack thereof – with Karl Stefanovic, who hosts rival breakfast show Today on Channel Nine.
Eighteen years and counting: Sunrise host David Koch (right, with Sam Armytage) reflected on his almost two decades at the top in an interview with this week’s New Idea magazine
When asked if he was pals with Karl, Kochie didn’t miss a beat.
‘No, not at all,’ he said. ‘I’ve met Karl a number of times at industry functions, but I don’t need new friends.’
As the conversation turned to the ratings war between Sunrise and Today, Kochie downplayed Nine’s recent victories on the east coast.
‘We have not lost a day all year,’ he said. You can win in Dubbo one week, or Wagga Wagga or Melbourne, and can cherry pick regions. We look at the [national] total.’
Candid: The TV host, 64, spoke about a variety of topics, including his 41-year marriage to wife Libby and his friendship – or lack thereof – with Karl Stefanovic, who hosts rival breakfast show Today on Channel Nine. Pictured (L-R) Lisa Wilkinson, David Koch, Sam Armytage and Karl Stefanovic at the 2017 Logie Awards in Melbourne
Kochie was referencing the fact Today has been Australia’s most-watched breakfast show on the east coast on several occasions this year.
The cities of Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane are considered the most crucial to advertisers, so networks are always keen to claim victories there.
But despite Today kicking goals in the eastern states, Sunrise has been dominant nationally for years, which Kochie was quick to point out.
‘At the end of the day, it’s about who wins the game. Every day, we’ve won the game,’ he said.
‘At the end of the day, it’s about who wins the game. Every day, we’ve won the game’: As the conversation turned to the ratings war between Sunrise and Today, Kochie downplayed Nine’s recent victories on the east coast
Kicking goals: Today, hosted by Karl Stefanovic (left) and Allison Langdon (right), has been Australia’s most-watched breakfast show on the east coast on several occasions this year – but Sunrise has always been dominant nationally, which Kochie was quick to point out
As for his personal life, Kochie insisted that he and Libby were ‘like any normal couple that goes through good times and tough times’, and that working through them together made them stronger.
Kochie co-hosts Sunrise with Sam Armytage, and the pair have delivered consistently strong numbers under the stewardship of executive producer Michael Pell.
But Today is snapping at its heels in the major cities, with the partnership of Karl and Allison Langdon pulling the show out of its ratings slump, which hit an all-time low in 2019 when the program was fronted by Deborah Knight and Georgie Gardner.
Dream team: Kochie co-hosts Sunrise with Sam Armytage (left), and the pair have delivered consistently strong ratings under the stewardship of executive producer Michael Pell (centre)